Airport Transportation

Airport ShuttleGO Airport Express provides shuttle bus service between O’Hare and Midway airports and the downtown hotels and McCormick Place as well as around-town travel and is offering all IFT18 attendees a 10% discount. For information and reservations, visit GO Airport Express’s website or call 773.247.1200. Don’t forget to apply or mention the discount code “IFT”.

Blue LineChicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is served by the CTA Blue train route which stops at Terminal 2. Blue Line trains serve O’Hare 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Trains operate every few minutes during the day and every 15-30 minutes overnight. The average travel time on the Blue Line to/from O’Hare to downtown is 45 minutes.

Orange Line
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is served by the CTA Orange Line train route which stops just steps from the airport terminal. Follow signs from the airport to the train station. Orange Line trains serve Midway from early morning to late evening hours, every day. Trains operate every 7 to 15 minutes. The average travel time on the Orange Line to/from Midway to downtown is 25 minutes.

Taxi
Taxis are available at the lower level curb front of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). There are no flat rates as all taxis run on meters. The fare is approximately $50 from O'Hare and $40 from Midway to the downtown area.

Private Car ServiceIFT has partnered with Windy City Limo to make booking an airport transfer. Please visit the Windy City Limo website to book your transfer today. Rates and cars subject to availability.

Getting to/from McCormick Place

Shuttle Bus Service
Shuttle bus service will be provided from stops near official IFT Hotels (except for Hyatt Regency McCormick Place which is connected to the center and the Marriott Marquis which is 2 blocks from McCormick Place) to McCormick Place. Shuttle bus days / hours:

Sunday, July 15

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.* and 3:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Monday, July 16

6:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 17

7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 18

7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

*limited 30 minute service on the hour and half hour from the following hotels only:

Taxi
Taxi service is readily available throughout the city and can cost between $5 and $30 per ride. Taxis pick up and drop off at McCormick Place South at Gate 4.

Divvy Bike
Looking for a way to get to McCormick Place while seeing the sights and avoiding traffic? Divvy bike is an option. Visit the Divvy website to learn how to sign up and take advantage of the $2 discount Divvy Bike is offering to IFT18 attendees on the Explorer Pass by using the code “IFT18”. Visit their page for locations of Divvy Bike stations to plan your route to McCormick Place!

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Public Transit
The CTA’s convenient and easy-to-use bus and train lines – including the famous “L” – carry you around town and to major attractions. The new CTA Green Line “Cermak-McCormick Place” station is located just 2.5 blocks from McCormick Place. The CTA website at http://www.transitchicago.com/ offers a valuable overview of transit services, a guide to the system, instructions for first-time riders, and much more.

Metra Electric TrainThe Metra Electric District (ME) route runs from three downtown stations directly to McCormick Place in just 7 minutes. Stations are located within walking distance to many hotels and are located at:

Millennium Station

Michigan Avenue & Randolph Street

Van Buren Station

Michigan Avenue & Van Buren Street

Museum Campus Station

Michigan Avenue & 11th Street

Schedule and pricing information can be picked up at the Metra Station on the Grand Concourse, Level 2.5, or can be found on the Metra website.

McCormick Place Parking

Lot A is the primary parking location for events in the South Building. Covered walkways from Lot A lead directly into McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Current pricing (subject to change) is $23 for up to 16 hours and $36 from 16-24 hours. There are no in-and-out privileges.

IFT MEMBERSHIP—Where You Belong

IFT membership is critical to ensuring that the science of food profession is strong, relevant, and influential. By joining IFT you’re making a difference in your community and making a personal investment to the future of food science and technology regionally, nationally, and globally.